Dynamically variable graphic material using electrostatically attracted particles

ABSTRACT

Dynamically-variable graphic displays, including a panel comprised of a plurality of electrostatic particles and a plurality of electrodynamic contacts supported within a nonconductive substrate, wherein each electrostatic particle is situated within a channel in the nonconductive substrate such that the nonconductive substrate comprises a plurality of channels oriented in one direction. Also included within the invention are dynamically-variable graphic display panels comprising electrostatic particles that each comprise a plurality of sectors, each having a different color and a fixed magnetic polarity relative to said sectors, and a plurality of electrodynamic contacts, each contact located adjacent to an electrostatic particle and positioned for interaction with one of the electrostatic particles.

This utility patent application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §§119-120of the filing date for application No. 61/656,681 filed Jun. 7, 2012,and application Ser. No. 13/913,275, filed on Jun. 7, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,122,143

This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for generatingdynamically variable graphic material using electrostatically and/ormagnetically attracted particles. This material can be used as a flatscreen display, such as a flat screen television, an electronic book, anadvertising display, a computer monitor, or a fabric that changes colorand/or pattern. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, anon-emissive dynamically-variable panel comprising a plurality of pixelsarranged into an image pattern and a perforation pattern comprised ofessentially transparent gaps in the image pattern may be layered oversurfaces of storefronts, buildings, billboards, and other structures tocreate a one-way graphic displays for advertising and other purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common practice for retail store and/or restaurants owners topaint windows with temporary and removable graphics. This type ofgraphic has great appeal and benefit as an advertising and promotionalmedium because the advertisement is displayed in the relevant locationto relevant consumers (i.e., consumers outside the store and/orrestaurant) and it can be changed frequently. Such graphics can be usedon any glass or plastic surface, including e.g, windows, privacyscreens, phone booths, bus windows, and storefronts. The popularity ofthis practice is evident—painted window graphics is one of the largestsegments in the sign painting industry.

Yet traditional window graphics have limitations. They typically lookpoor from the inside of the window and block the light and view. Notbeing able to see out through the windows to monitor suspicious activityoutside the business can have serious security problems for businessessuch as banks, retail and convenience stores. Further, the paint forsuch graphics is typically applied to the window surface in layers ofcolor, each color being built upon the previous color. Often multipletools are used, including roller, airbrush, paintbrush, letteringstencils, spray equipment, or finger painting. Thus this method has theadditional disadvantages of: (a) taking time and expense of skilledlabor to create the displays, (b) being difficult to change and modifythe graphic as desired, and (c) being difficult to clean up and removeof the graphic.

Retailers also use one-way graphic materials for store displays. One-waygraphic materials are materials that have an image on one side, yetpermit vision through the material from the other side. Opticalproperties are manipulated such that the material appears opaque fromthe image side, but appears substantially transparent when viewed fromthe non-image side. Generally, one-way graphic materials are lightpermeable, with one relatively dark side and one relatively light side.Images are typically placed on the light side of the one-way material.People viewing from that side will see the image. People viewing thematerial from the back side of the material do not see the image, butinstead see the environment on the far side of the one-way graphic.Other forms of one-way graphics use transparent inks and/orretroreflective materials, and rely on differences in illumination andscale perception to create the same effect, with the image typicallyvisible from the brighter, outdoor side of the window, while beingsubstantially invisible from the darker, inner side of the window.

One-way graphics typically use perforated substrates, upon which animage is printed using digital printers or silk screening. Other methodsof production of one-way graphics involve the application of “printpatterns” of bonding material onto the surface of a transparent,non-bonding substrate, as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,052 (Hill et al.).Images may then be printed onto the “print pattern” of bonding materialto create an image layer. One-way graphics can thus be made usingnon-perforated films (e.g., 3M™ Scotchcal™ Clear View Graphic FilmIJ8150), wherein a print pattern simulating a perforated surface is usedto create unprinted surfaces that simulate the effect of perforation.

The embodiments described above involve one-way graphic displays inwhich a single, permanent image is bonded to the surface of the one-waydisplay. Because the one-way displays are entirely dye-based, as withstandard window displays, they require the user to remove and replace adisplay each time the user wishes to display a different graphic image.Furthermore, existing technology for one-way graphic displays isentirely static, and does not allow for any movement of the image on theone-way graphic display. Thus, the current state of the art in one-waygraphics also fails to take advantage of many of the advantagesassociated with motion pictures, television, and other video arts basedon projection of images, where a single projection panel can be used todisplay many different types of images, and can portray motion.

Non-emissive dynamic display technologies are also known. One example isthe electrophoretic display described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,026,commonly referred to as E Ink® This technology uses tiny microcapsulesthat are suspended in liquid placed within a film-like layer. Themicrocapsules contain both positively charged white particles andnegatively charged black particles. Applying a negative electrical fieldto the microcapsules causes the white particles to come to the surfaceof the display. Conversely, applying a positive electrical field causesthe black particles to come to the surface. By applying different fieldsat various parts of a screen, the technology produces a visual display.Besides being considered by many as easier on the eyes than emissivedisplays, E Ink® also boasts lower power consumption, particularly whencompared to traditional backlit liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.More recent versions of E Ink include the ability to display color andmultiple shades of grey. However, non-emissive displays have not beenused in commercial displays, and have not been adapted to use in one-waygraphic materials.

Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide graphicdisplays screens that (1) are suitable for use in commercial and retailwindow displays, (2) provide the opportunity to display graphics withoutsubstantially impeding vision out of windows, (3) allow easyintroduction of new images without complete replacement of the display,(4) allow the user to display moving images, and (5) utilize energyefficiently. It is a further object of this invention to provide newforms of non-emissive displays using colored particulates.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a one-way graphic display can begenerated. Using the one-way graphic material has the benefits of theadvertising and promotional value of the painted medium without any ofthe drawbacks. Once installed the graphics can be changed and updatedquickly and easily without its removal. Further, one can see through thegraphic from the back side so the view and the light are not completelyblocked by the back of the painted graphic. Non-skilled labor can hookup the control unit and download an updated graphic image to the one waygraphic material with microspheres. The graphic can be viewed on acomputer monitor or laptop display for approval before the image isdownloaded or transferred to the one way window. The one-way graphicdisplay has many potential applications including advertisements onbuilding and color-changing fabrics.

In another aspect of the invention, the new forms of non-emissiveparticle displays are disclosed using electrodes to rotate multicoloredelectrostatically and/or magnetically attracted microspheres. Thisresults in a display that is colored, rather than limited to black andwhite display. Further, the invention allows the microspheres to berotated rapidly, which can produce moving images or video. Accordingly,the invention would have an application in e-book readers, especiallyfor purposes of adding colored illustrations and video features todevices. Another advantage of the invention over LCD screens and othertraditional graphic display methods is that it only requires externalenergy when the display is changed. If, for example, the invention isutilized in a billboard, the display would not require a constant powersource, but instead, would only need energy input when the display waschanged. Likewise, when utilized in an e-book reader, the inventionwould increase battery life because the dynamically variable graphicmaterial display does not continually require energy input.

One embodiment of the present invention is a dynamic display panelcomprised of a transparent substrate containing an array of non-emissivepixel units, wherein the non-emissive pixel units are arranged withinthe transparent substrate to create a perforation pattern that iscomplementary to the pattern of non-emissive pixel units, wherein theperforation pattern is of sufficient area and distribution to allowsubstantially clear vision through the dynamic display panel when viewedfrom a side of relatively low illumination outward to an area ofrelatively high illumination.

The present invention is comprised of microspheres, electrodes, anenergy source connected to the electrodes, and a substrate. Themicrospheres, which can be in a variety of shapes, have multicoloredsectors with an embedded electrical and/or magnetic charge. Electrodesare connected to an energy source, which changes the polarity of theelectrodes or creates a magnetic field, and the substrate. When thepolarity of the electrodes is positive, the electrodes attract thenegatively charged sectors of the microspheres. When the polarity of theelectrodes is changed to negative, the electrodes attract the positivelycharged sectors of the microspheres. Additionally, when smallelectromagnetic circuits are powered either north or south theseelectromagnets attract or repel magnetic sectors of the microspheres. Asa result of this process of attraction and repulsion, the microspheresrotate and the colors displayed to the user rotate. In one aspect of theinvention, the substrate and electrodes are transparent and/ortranslucent so that a viewer can look thru the assembly when it isviewed from reverse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a facial view of a series of microspheres, each withsectors of different colors.

FIG. 2 shows a facial view of an array of microspheres wherein themicrospheres are cased inside hollow, transparent shells.

FIG. 3 is a facial view of an assembly of microspheres and electrodes ona substrate, placed into rows and columns.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of exemplar microspheres encased intransparent shells and placed upon electrodes, which are bonded to asubstrate.

FIG. 5 is a facial view of an array of microspheres with sectors ofdifferent colors, each encased within a transparent shell.

FIG. 6 shows a facial view of an array of microspheres with an alternatelayout of colored sectors.

FIG. 7 shows a facial view of an array of alternating multi-colored andblack & white microspheres.

FIG. 8 is a facial view of an assembled configuration of a series ofmicrospheres showing fields of different colors.

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional side view of one row of the assembledconfiguration shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a facial view of an array of microspheres, wherein the cellsof the microspheres are arranged in hexagonal cells.

FIG. 11 illustrates invention facial view of a partial array ofmicrospheres, wherein the microspheres are encased in octagonal cells.

FIG. 12 is an exploded, flattened view of a six-sided cube with beveledcorners wherein each face has a select color.

FIG. 13 shows one facial view of the beveled cube of FIG. 12 encasedwithin a microsphere.

FIG. 14 shows an off-axis isometric view of the structure of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded, flattened view of a six-sided cube as in FIG.12, wherein two faces are left transparent.

FIG. 16 is a facial view of the cube similar to FIG. 13, with fewerelectrodes.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the cube.

FIG. 18 is a cut away side view of three possible configurations ofmicrocubes and/or microspheres. FIG. 18A shows a configuration whereinall faces of a cube within a microsphere are colored. FIG. 18B shows aconfiguration of a cube with two transparent faces within a microsphere.FIG. 18C shows a similar configuration using a microsphere encasedwithin a transparent spherical shell.

FIG. 19 shows a side-view of microcylinder-based array encased in atube.

FIG. 20 shows a face-on view of an array of axially-attachedmicrocylinders arranged in microtubes with spacers or voids betweentubes.

FIG. 21 shows a higher resolution arrangement of the apparatus of FIG.18, in which the spacing between tubes is minimized.

FIG. 22 shows a side-view of microcylinder-based array as in FIG. 17,wherein the microcylinders have black and white opposite faces with atransparent surface area between them.

FIG. 23 shows a face-on view of an array of axially-attachedmicrocylinders as in FIG. 20, wherein the microcylinders have faces ofdifferent colors, arranged with spacers as per FIG. 18.

FIG. 24 shows a higher resolution arrangement of the apparatus of FIG.21, in which the spacing between tubes is minimized.

FIG. 25 shows side views of microspheres containing small particles withembedded positive and/or negative charges, wherein each microsphere isattached to an electrode that is expressing a positive, negative, orneutral charge that affects the distribution of the charged particles.

FIG. 26 shows a side view of another arrangement of microspheres as inFIG. 25, wherein the particles are spaced closely together to increaseresolution.

FIGS. 27-28 show a side view of an arrangement of wherein themicrocompartments are hemisphere-shaped. FIG. 27 shows the compartmentsare spaced closely together, while FIG. 28 depicts an embodiment wherethe compartments are spaced out.

FIG. 29 illustrates cross-sectional views of various microspherescontaining different numbers of colors on each microsphere.

FIG. 30 one embodiment of the invention with conductive elements (35) ina mesh or grid form that can be used to transmit electrical charges tothe different electrodes (30).

FIGS. 31 and 32 illustrate alternate configurations of conductiveelements that transport electrical charges to the electrodes thatcontrol the microspheres and other embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 33 schematically illustrates various placements ofthree-dimensional electrodes wrapped around various microspheres invarious embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 34-37 schematically illustrate various configurations of an energysource directed to the electrodes or elements connected to theelectrodes in various embodiments of the present invention. The figuresshow the energy source attaching through a substrate (FIG. 34), throughthe substrate and a window (FIG. 35), and through an adhesive layer onan interior mounted one-way graphic display (FIG. 36) and exteriormounted one-way graphic display (FIG. 37).

FIGS. 38 and 39 schematically illustrate various placements ofmicrospheres on a mesh material in various embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 40 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a storefrontapplication of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate microspheres in various embodiments of theinvention. The microspheres consist of solid balls with differentcolored sectors (i.e., each of the primary colors) (34). Each sector hasan embedded charge or magnetic properties: either positive, negative,north or south. The solid colored balls (31) may be inside hollowtransparent shells (32). A space (33) exists between the solid coloredballs (31) and the transparent shells (32) so that the solid coloredballs can rotate freely inside the shells. This space may be filled withan intermediate medium such as a lubricating liquid or gas.

Each of the microspheres is adhered in proximity to tiny electrodes to asubstrate or base. The electrodes are bonded, printed onto or otherwiseadhered to the substrate (5). FIG. 3 shows one possible placement of theassembly of electrodes and microspheres on a substrate. These assembliesmay be placed in rows and columns, as shown in FIG. 3, or they may beplaced in other patterns as desired.

In one embodiment of the invention, the microspheres rotate through anelectrostatic method. In this method, a substrate is covered with apattern of tiny electrodes. Next, the microspheres are charged withstatic electricity, and the electrodes are charged with an oppositecharge. Since the opposite charges attract one another, the microspheresare attracted to the areas of the surface where the electrodes are.Either the microspheres or the substrate would have an adhesive meansfor bonding the two together. Alternatively, in another embodiment,adhesive is attracted to the electrodes when droplets of adhesive arecharged with an opposite charge than that of the electrodes. Theadhesive droplets are attracted to the areas of opposite charge andadhere there. The microspheres are then bonded to the areas of adhesive.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of exemplar microspheres (31) encasedin transparent shells (32) and placed upon electrodes (30), which arebonded to a substrate (5). FIG. 4A through 4E show how the electrodesrotate the microspheres to change the displayed color. In FIG. 4A, boththe electrodes are positively charged which attract the negativelycharged sector of the microsphere. FIG. 4B shows the electrode on theleft positively charged and attracting the negatively charged sector ofthe microsphere. FIG. 4C shows the electrode on the right negativelycharged and attracting the positively charged sector of the microsphere.FIG. 4D shows the electrode on the left negatively charged andattracting the positively charged sector of the microsphere while theelectrode on the right is positively charged and attracting thenegatively charged sector of the microsphere. FIG. 4E shows bothelectrodes negatively charged and attracting the positively chargedsector of the microsphere. When a transparent substrate (5) is used asin FIG. 4, the assemblies of electrodes, microspheres, and transparentshells are spaced apart, and the electrodes have a dark color or appearto be light-absorbing when viewed through the transparent substrate (5),the assembly can have one-way graphic capabilities. The direction arrow(23) shows the see-through direction of this one-way graphic medium.

As the microspheres rotate in response to the electrodes' varyingelectrical charges, the different colored sectors become visible to theviewer. As there would typically be thousands or millions of tinymicrospheres adhered to a given substrate, each microsphere would be asingle pixel in an overall picture. Each pixel of color becomes part ofthe graphic image displayed. FIG. 5 illustrates a series of microspheres(31) with different sectors (34) having different colors and differentinherent electrostatic charges that are encased in transparent shells(32). FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment with another configurationof different colored sectors (34).

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, the multicolored microspheres,represented in FIG. 7A, 7C, 7E, 7G, and 7I, can be alternated in anassembly with microspheres that contain black and white sectors asrepresented in FIG. 7B, 7D, 7F, and 7H. Such an assembly may havegreater versatility in representing all colors, shades, and hues.Alternatively, each microsphere can contain sectors that are the threeprimary colors as well as black and white. Alternatively, it ispossible, and may be desirable, to have microspheres with sectors thatare colors other that the primary colors. It is also possible to havetransparent microspheres with some sectors of the interior ball coloredand some sectors left uncolored and transparent, so that when themicrosphere is oriented correctly, one would be able to see through theassembly. This embodiment as a one-way graphic display is describedbelow.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the invention. The microspheres(31) are spherical and there are dividers (41) that form walls or boxesaround the balls. These microspheres may, or may not, be encased intransparent shells as desired. FIG. 8 also shows how differentorientations of the spherical balls may show different colors.

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of one row of the type of assemblyof FIG. 8. The microspheres (31) are in boxes formed of dividers (41).Each of the four sides of the box around each microsphere, as well asthe bottom of each box, may contain an electrode. These electrodes maybe charged positively or negatively or the electrodes may energize tinyelectromagnets to rotate the sphere in three dimensions in order toorient a particular side for viewing. The edges of the boxes may becrimped to contain the microsphere and to keep it from falling out ofthe assembly. Alternately, a transparent cover may be placed over theassembly to protect the assembly and also to prevent the microspheresfrom falling out of the boxes.

FIG. 10 shows an assembly of microspheres in six-sided boxes. Each ofthe sides or walls (41) may contain one or more electrodes to orient themicrosphere as desired. Boxes of such shapes can be nestled more closelytogether than shown in FIG. 10, giving the pixels a substantiallycontinuous appearance. In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11,the microspheres are assembled in eight-sided boxes (41), which arearranged together and which would leave diamond-shaped gaps between theboxes. Such a configuration might be desirable for a one-way microspheregraphic display. The view through the assembly would be from theopposite side through the diamond shaped holes or voids.

Microspheres can be made by various methods. In one such method, themicrospheres are produced by building layer upon layer of differentmaterials. The interior ball is first produced and can be painted by anumber of different methods, such as powder coating, stamp painting,roller painting, spray-painting, or other similar methods. If the paint,ink, or colored material has an embedded electrostatic charge ormagnetic properties, the balls can be rotated into position byelectrostatic and/or magnetic forces for preparation for the applicationof the next colored material. The balls can be rotated and aligned foreach additional color as desired. Thousands or millions of balls can bequickly coated with multiple colors this way.

Once the interior ball is colored, it can be coated with a material thatchanges phases from a liquid to a solid and then back from a solid to aliquid. This coating would produce an intermediate medium. The coatingprocess can use either a liquid or a powder that uniformly adheres toand coats the interior colored ball. Once the colored ball has beenuniformly coated, a similar coating process can produce the exteriorshell. After the exterior shell is produced and has cured, theintermediate medium is made to change phase to a liquid. This allows themicrosphere to rotate freely within the exterior shell lubricated by theliquid intermediate medium.

Another method of creating the microsphere consisting of a colored ballsurrounded by a liquid lubricating layer within a transparent shell isas follows. First, any number of means or methods is used to create acolored ball. Next, the colored ball is placed into a two-part mold inthe shape of a tiny sphere, oval, egg, oblong or other desired shapesurrounded by an intermediate medium liquid. The filled mold is cooleduntil the intermediate medium turns solid or reasonably solid. The moldis opened and the colored ball encased in a solidified liquid in theshape of the mold is removed. This object is then either coated with thetransparent shell material, placed into sections of shell material thatare bonded around the colored ball encased in the solidifiedintermediate medium liquid, or placed into another mold where the shellmaterial is molded around it.

Many other methods of producing such microspheres may be created orotherwise developed.

The colored balls of the microspheres need not be spherical—oblongs,ovals, egg shapes, cylinders, rounded cubes, and other such shapes maybe used.

FIG. 12 shows a preferred embodiment utilizing microspheres shaped in asix-sided cube with rounded corners that is laid out flat. In thisembodiment, each of the six sides is a different color (34). Some sidesmay be charged or have a magnetic dipole associated with them; othersmay have no charge at all. FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment with asix-sided cube with rounded corners and the microspheres encased in atransparent spherical shell. The multicolored microsphere cube is freeto rotate inside the transparent spherical shell as the electrodes (30)attract or repel different sides of the cubes. FIG. 14 is an isometricview of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a six-sided transparent cube with roundedcorners that is laid out flat. FIG. 15 shows two sides that are lefttransparent (59), while the other sides have different colors withpositive and negative charges. FIG. 16 shows the six-sided cube withrounded corners as in FIG. 13 with fewer electrodes. FIG. 17 shows anisometric view of this embodiment. FIG. 18A shows a cut away view of theassembly of transparent six-sided cube with rounded corners and coloredsides (34) inside a transparent shell with electrodes (30). The assemblyis bonded to a transparent or translucent substrate. FIG. 18B shows thatthe viewer can see through the assembly (61) when the microsphere isoriented correctly. FIG. 18C shows that a spherical microsphere or amicrocylinder can achieve similar effects.

Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, tinycylindrical objects encased inside of small tubes comprise themicrospheres. These tiny cylindrical objects could have segments thatare different colors and have different embedded electrostatic and/ormagnetic charges. These may be produced through the extrusion methodwhere each segment consists of a different material or a material thatdiffers solely in color or embedded electrostatic and/or magneticcharge. The diameter of the cylindrical objects can be reduced to a verysmall state through such methods as rolling, squeezing, stretching, orother such well-known processes. Once the diameter of the cylinder isreduced to the desired thickness, it can be cut, sliced, or otherwisedivided into short cylindrical pieces. These short cylindrical piecescan then be encased in a transparent tube that holds the shortcylindrical pieces in place and protects them. The backside of thetransparent tube would have a pattern of electrodes in order to properlyorient the short cylindrical pieces. These tubes can be placed closelytogether to create a solid graphic material, or the tubes can be spacedapart to create a one-way graphic material. By adhering the tubes to amesh, window, transparent substrate, or other such support structurethat allows the passage of light, a one-way graphic material can bemade.

FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the invention utilizing microcylinders(47). These microcylinders are encased in a tube (48), which istransparent or translucent. Spacers (49) may be provided to separate themicrocylinders and to facilitate their rotation independently. Differentsides of the microcylinders may have different colors with differentembedded charges (34). Electrodes may be placed on the walls of thecylinder or on the underlying substrate in order to attract or repeldifferent sectors of the microcylinders in order that they rotate toorient a particular color as desired.

FIG. 20 shows tubes with many microcylinders (50) bonded to atransparent substrate (5). The tubes with microcylinders (50) havespaces or voids between them in order to create a one-way graphicmaterial. FIG. 21 shows microcylinders (50) bonded closely together on asubstrate (36) in order to create a graphic material with ahigh-resolution. The smaller the cylinders are and the closer they aremounted together on the substrate, the higher the resolution or qualityof the graphic image.

FIG. 22 shows transparent microcylinders with coatings of black andwhite on opposite sides. The top microcylinder is oriented so that theviewer can see through it to the pattern on the other side of themicrocylinder. The bottom microcylinder is oriented so that the viewersees the black side, so it appears substantially black. The tube thatcontains the two microcylinders is bonded to a transparent substrate.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show different possible orientations of transparentmicrocylinders with two opposite sides coated with color (50) that arebonded to a transparent or translucent substrate (5). The assemblies ofthis configuration can be used to vary the amount of a light transmittedthrough the assembly, absorb solar heat and/or reflect solar heat asdesired. Although not shown, the microcylinders may have flat planesalong their surfaces.

In another embodiment of the invention, the graphic display is createdusing microspheres shaped like bubbles, pouches, or pillows. Suchbubbles, pouches, or pillows could be filled with particles of a certaincolor with an embedded positive charge, particles of a different colorwith a negative embedded charge, and a liquid of a third color. Theseparticles are attracted or repelled in a manner similar to the sectorsof the colored interior balls inside of the microspheres by a pattern ofelectrodes that are charged or neutral as desired. These bubbles,pouches, or pillows can be created by sealing a material to thesubstrate such that bubbles, pouches, or pillows filled with the desiredliquids and/or compounds are created.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment of the invention where the microspheresconsist of a transparent shell (32) containing small particles withembedded charges in different colors attached to a substrate (5). InFIG. 25A, the red particles (52) with an embedded negative charge areattracted to the positively charged electrode (30). Blue particles (51)are positively charged and are repelled from the positively chargedelectrode (30). The particles are suspended in a tinted liquid (53) andcontained by a transparent shell (32). FIG. 25B shows what happens whenthe electrode is negatively charged. The blue positively chargedparticles are attracted to the electrode wall and the red negativelycharged particles are repelled away from the electrode wall. FIG. 25Cshows what happens when there is no charge, or a neutral charge on theelectrode. Here, the particles settle to the bottom of the tintedliquid. When a viewer is standing on the right side of the display andlooks at the display, he sees a blue colored microsphere at FIG. 25A, ared colored microsphere at FIG. 25B, and a yellow colored microsphere atFIG. 25C. When a viewer looks at the display from a distance, he tendsnot to focus on the electrodes, but rather, he looks through theassembly to where there is recognizable color and pattern. When a vieweris standing on the left side of the display, looking closely at thedisplay, he can see a pattern of dark microspheres through a transparentsheet.

FIG. 26 shows a similar configuration of microspheres consisting oftransparent shells (32) containing tinted liquid (53) and coloredcharged particles (51) (52) (54) resting on an electrode and bonded to asubstrate. In this embodiment, the spacing between those elements isminimized to provide a more solid looking graphic material and to createa higher resolution image.

FIG. 27 shows another embodiment of the invention consisting of atransparent pouch (55) containing tiny microspheres (42) that have twosides, each with a different color and each with a different embeddedcharge. In FIG. 27A, with the electrode (30) positively charged, theelectrode attracts the negatively charged white side while repelling thepositively charged black side of each tiny microsphere. Liquid or airmay also be encased in the pouch in the areas around the tinymicrospheres. FIG. 27B shows the same configuration but with anegatively charged electrode. Here, the negatively charged electroderepels the negatively charged white side of the tiny microspheres, whileattracting the positively charged black side of the microspheres. FIG.27C shows a configuration similar to FIG. 27B, with small, coloredparticles with embedded charges being repelled or attracted to theelectrode. Here, the negatively charged electrode attracts thepositively charged blue particles and repels the negatively charged redparticles. FIG. 27D shows a positively charged electrode attracting thenegatively charged red particles and repelling the positively chargedblue particles. FIG. 27E shows the particles settling to the bottom ofthe pouch when there is no charge on the electrode. In FIG. 27, thepouches are spaced closely together to give the appearance of a solidgraphic.

In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated by FIG. 28, thepouches are placed apart from each other to produce transparent areasthrough which one can see. This configuration creates a one-waychangeable graphic medium. FIG. 28A shows a pouch similar to that ofFIG. 27A in which a positively charged electrode attracts the negativelycharged white sides of tiny microspheres while repelling the positivelycharged black side of each of the tiny microspheres. The vision throughthe assembly is achieved in the areas between the pouches (56).

When the invention is practiced utilizing pouches, the pouches can bemade in many different shapes sizes and configurations, for example,circular, linear as a section of tube, rectangular, or other polygons,or they can be made in random shapes, as desired. During the formingprocess, the material between the pouches can be pressed and bonded toother elements in the assembly. For example, a press may both mold andbond the transparent material to either the electrodes or to theunderlying substrate. The pouches in the transparent material can bepre-formed before the bonding process or the pouches can be formed aspart of the bonding process, as desired.

Many different orientations of the colored sectors of the microspheresare possible. As shown in FIG. 29, the microspheres can be constructedwith various numbers of sides or sectors, including but not limited to,two sides or sectors (bicolored) (42), three sides or sectors(tricolored) (43), four sides or sectors (44), five sides or sectors(45), or six sides or sectors (46). In FIG. 29, the microsphereassemblies are spaced closely together, but they need not be.

All microspheres described in this specification can be made indifferent sizes ranging from several inches across for large billboardsto a microscopic size for fine detail.

The electrodes can be constructed by such methods as printing ofconductive inks or other conductive materials, plating or etchingprocesses, vapor deposition, adhesion of conductive films, or other suchprocesses. The polarity of the electrodes can be changed by an energysource transmitting electrical charge to the electrodes through any ofthe following means: e.g., wires, printed conductive lines or areas thatare transparent, induction, laser, electron gun, electronic discharge,capacitor, electrolytes, electrophosphorus, and/or particle gun.

FIG. 30 shows a diagram in one embodiment of the invention withmicrospheres with different colored sectors (34) embedded in a mesh orgrid in a substrate (36) that can be used to transmit electrical chargesto the different electrodes attached to the colored microspheres. FIG.31A shows one possible configuration for the conductive elements (35)that transport electrical charges to the electrodes (30) controllingeach microsphere. Here, each conductive element is connectedindividually to the electrodes. The conductive elements (35) may be of atransparent or translucent conductive material. FIG. 31B shows anotherpossible configuration in which the electrodes (30) are connected tomicro switches (39), which open and close a circuit in order that thecharge to the electrode may be changed as desired. Such switches (39)may be solid-state, transistor elements, nano switches, gates or othersuch elements. They may be constructed so that when power comes acrossthe horizontal conductor the switches are open along that line (5);power from the vertical conductors can then change the charge on theelectrodes (30). FIG. 31B shows an energy source (100) connected to thearray and, subsequently, the electrodes. Many other such configurationsare possible.

For example, FIG. 32 illustrates another embodiment of the inventionutilizing micro switches. FIG. 32 shows electrical conductors (35)connecting to micro switches (39) and the placement of electrodes (30)on the micro switches. The number of conductors connected to theelectrodes may be more or fewer as desired, and more electrodes may beused if desired.

In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 33, theelectrodes (30) utilized are three-dimensional that may wrap around themicrospheres, which may be bicolored (42) and tri-colored (43). Thesethree-dimensional electrodes allow greater possibilities for orientingthe microspheres sectors (34) in three dimensions. The three-dimensionalelectrodes may be constructed so that they hold the microspheres looselyenough that the microspheres can freely rotate, yet will not fall out.This assembly of electrode and microsphere can bonded to transparentsubstrate (5) as in FIG. 33 in order to achieve one-way graphicproperties. Three-dimensional electrodes may be applied to theconfigurations that include transparent shells or tubes to contain themicrospheres.

The electrodes can be controlled by user-directed energy. Such energycan come from a laser, electron gun, electronic discharge, particle gunor the like. The electrodes can have elements that absorb such energyand convert it into electrical charges. One such method would havephotovoltaic elements bonded to, or deposited on, the electrodes. When alaser light strikes such photovoltaic elements they produce either apositive or a negative charge depending on their configuration. Thesephotovoltaic elements could be made so that they were unaffected byambient light levels or by direct sunlight, and only the desired laserwavelength and energy level. This configuration would allow the rapidchange of the image through the use of a scanning laser beam.

FIGS. 34 through 37 illustrate some of the possible configurations ofthe energy source directed to the electrodes or to elements connectingto the electrodes for the purpose of changing the polarity of theelectrodes to change the graphic image. FIG. 34 shows the energy source(63) going through a substrate (64) to the electrodes or the elementsconnecting to the electrodes on an interior mount photovoltaicmicrosphere one-way graphic display. FIG. 35 shows the energy source(63) going through both the window and the substrate (64) to theelectrodes and the elements connecting to the electrodes on an exteriormount photovoltaic microsphere one-way graphic display. FIG. 36 showsthe configuration of FIG. 34 with the addition of an adhesive layer (66)on an interior mount photovoltaic microsphere one-way graphic display.FIG. 37 shows the configuration of FIG. 35 with the addition of anadhesive layer (66) on an exterior mount photovoltaic microsphereone-way graphic display.

Alternatively, the electrodes can be controlled temporarily through theuse of a removable control module. In this instance, the image isprogrammed onto the surface where the image remains after the removal ofthe control module. With this, the graphic image can be quickly changedto adapt to the need to update the graphics. This feature is especiallyimportant for advertisements that must be updated or changed to remaincurrent. Often it is desirable to promote specials or sales and agraphic that can be quickly changed without removal and reinstallationhas great benefits. The control is “plugged” into the graphic assemblyto change the graphic and then the control module is removed.

Another method of changing the graphic involves the application of aplate or screen with charged areas, over the microsphere assembly. Theareas of the plate or screen charge the electrodes through induction andthe image remains after the plate or screen is removed. Alternately, acharging device may be moved across the surface of the microsphereassembly to change the charges of the electrodes, or to change theorientation of the solid colored balls inside the microspheres. Such adevice can use such means as printed conductive lines or areas, wires,printed conductive lines or areas that are transparent, electrostaticinduction, laser, electron gun, electronic discharge, capacitor,electret, electrophosphorus, particle gun, or the like.

The invention may utilize many different substrates and may be createdin many different sizes. For example, desirable substrates include thinpaper-like material, opaque plastic material, glass, Lexan, Plexiglas,mesh, fabric, or other transparent or semi-transparent or opaquematerial. Any dielectric material capable of supporting microspheres canbe used as the substrate. Conductive materials such as metals orconductive plastics can be used if coated with a dielectric coating.Color changing microspheres bonded to a fabric or mesh can be used tocreate color changeable fabrics, materials, clothing, draperies,screens, curtains, fashion accessories, or the like. Such material mayalso be used for creating products with one-way properties.Additionally, the products may incorporate light transmitting fibers forillumination effects and, like the other products described herein, maybe formed, constructed, made, or otherwise made to conform to a threedimensional shape.

FIG. 38 shows an embodiment of the invention with the placement ofmicrospheres on a mesh (38) material substrate. Conductive elements (35)are woven into the mesh. These conductive elements (35) may be coatedwith a dielectric material or an insulative material if desired. Notshown are the electrodes and micro switches that would be placed betweenthe mesh and the microspheres. With a loosely woven mesh and spacedapart electrodes and microspheres, when the assembly is viewed from thereverse, the electrodes would block the view of the microspheres. Whenthe electrodes appear to be of a dark color or have a light-absorbingcompound on the surface that would be visible from the reverse side ofthe assembly, the assembly would have the properties of a one-waygraphic material. In this configuration one looking from the reversewould look through the holes in the mesh, while one looking at the faceof the graphic assembly would see the microspheres in different colorsforming the pixels of an image. With a closely-knit or woven fabric ormesh and with close spacing between the microspheres and electrodes, acolor change fabric is created.

FIG. 39 shows the microspheres (37) bonded to a transparent substrate(5) with very fine or transparent conductive elements (35) providingenergy to micro switches and electrodes which would be placed betweenthe microspheres and the transparent substrate. The assembly of FIG. 39may have one-way graphic properties when both the substrate and theconductive elements are transparent or nearly so. The conductiveelements (35) may be so thin as to appear invisible when viewed from adistance. As with FIG. 38, the electrodes in FIG. 39 would appear to bea dark color or have a light-absorbing compound on the surface thatwould be visible from the reverse side of the assembly.

Use in One-Way Graphics

In another embodiment of the invention, the microspheres consist oftransparent material to create a one-way graphic display. The one-waygraphic display would consist of a transparent substrate with eithertransparent electrodes covering it or covered by light-absorbing areasor light-absorbing electrodes. The microspheres would then be adhered tothose areas that contain the transparent electrodes with thelight-absorbing areas or the light-absorbing electrodes. The areas ofthe transparent material around the stacked assembly of microspheres,light-absorbing areas, and electrodes are left transparent, creating apattern of visual perforation. When a viewer looks closely at one sideof the assembly, the viewer sees a transparent material covered with thepattern of tiny black areas. Standing at a distance, a viewer typicallywould not see the black areas but would look through the pattern ofperforation created by the transparent material to where there is colorand pattern. The assembly from this view would be a semi-transparentscreen that tends to dim or tint the view. From this view, themicrospheres are behind the light-absorbing areas or the light-absorbingelectrodes and are not generally visible. This would be considered the“see-through” side of the one-way graphic material with microspheres.

On the other side of the assembly, one sees the multicoloredmicrospheres on the surface of the transparent material. The coloredmicrospheres, through the attraction and repulsion of charges on theelectrodes, can be rotated so that a particular colored side ispresented. Dozens, hundreds, thousands, or millions of these coloredmicrospheres are made to represent pictures or other graphic images.Since the multicolored microspheres create color and pattern on thesurface of the transparent material and the image is perceived on thesurface of the transparent material, objects, images, or views beyondthe surface of the transparent material are generally not perceived.With continuous control of the electrodes a constantly moving andchanging image can be presented, such as a movie, TV image, slide show,video presentation, animation, or other such moving, changing, graphicimage or images. Since the colored sides of the microspheres are visiblewith or without power or energy being connected to the display, thegraphic can be disconnected from power and still be readable. Power isneeded only when the graphic or portions of the graphic are to bechanged. For devices that require batteries to power a graphic screen,the use of such a microsphere graphic screen can result in much longerbattery life.

As used herein, “one-way graphic materials” refers to materials thatappear essentially opaque and non-transparent from the image side, butappear substantially transparent when viewed from the non-image sideunder appropriate light conditions. The direction of one-way vision maychange with environmental conditions, such as when night falls andlights are turned on inside a building. Images are typically placed onthe light side of the one-way material. People viewing from that sidewill see the image. People viewing the material from the back side ofthe material do not see the image, but instead see the environment onthe far side of the one-way graphic. Generally, one-way graphicmaterials are constructed using films or sheets that have multiple gapsor perforations in their non-transparent surface, thereby allowing lightto permeate through the material.

“Non-printable area” or “non-bonding area” refers generally to any areaof print medium which does not bond permanently to ink used duringprinting, such that any ink on that area may be physically removedduring the printing process, leaving behind a gap, absence, orperforation in the target image. The non-printable or non-bonding areamay be continuous or discontinuous, and may be of varying sizes orpatterns, including holes, dots, grids, matrices, lattices, or randompatterns.

“Perforation” or “void” refers generally to any void or area of completetransparency in a panel of one-way graphic material. A perforation maybe physical, as in the case of a hole cut through or from a material, orvisual, as in the case where a physically non-perforated substratecontains areas of transparency. Perforations may be of varying sizes orpatterns, including holes, dots, grids, matrices, lattices, or randompatterns.

“Perforation pattern” refers to the collective area of perforationsand/or voids in a one-way graphic panel. The perforation patterngenerally constitutes 25% to 75% of the surface area of a panel, and isusually around 50% of the area. For example, in commercially availableperforated PVC films for one-way graphics such as SuperVue™, ImageVue™,and ImageJetVue™ films distributed by Clear Focus Imaging, Inc., andAvery® HP MPI 2728 perforated 65/35 film, the perforated area generallyconstitutes 50% or 35% of the total surface area of the film.

Persons of skill in the art will recognize that the one-way graphicmaterial applications described herein are not limited to themicrosphere arrays and other embodiments described above. Thenon-emissive technologies which could be used within this inventioninclude previously known non-emissive display technologies such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,026 (commonly known as E Ink®), whichmay be adapted to use in the apparatus and method of the invention byconstructing sufficiently small non-emissive display units and embeddingthem with the transparent substrate in a pattern and distributionsufficient to create a “see-through” perforation pattern. In yet otherembodiments of the invention, the non-emissive display units could besized and spaced within a physically perforated structure to create thesame effect.

Another method of producing one-way graphic material using microspheresis to apply the microspheres onto a perforated surface. The perforatedsurface would be of a light-absorbing material or a dark color on thebackside, or the opposite side from the microspheres. The ratio ofholes, or open area, to that of the solid material would be in the rangeof 25% to 75%. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio ofopen area would be around 50%. A woven material or screen can be used inplace of the perforated material; such screen can incorporate conductiveelements in the woven mesh. The woven mesh could be pressed flat, whichwould aid in the application of an adhesive layer and in theinstallation of the material to another surface. Pressing the materialflat would eliminate the variation of thickness of the warp and weave ofthe woven material. The pressing could be done any number of waysincluding using combinations of heat and pressure. This could includepassing the material through heated rollers that would flatten and bondthe individual filaments.

The one-way graphic material with microspheres can be combined withgraphic material with microspheres (without the one-way properties) formany different applications. For applications with areas of bothtransparent and opaque areas, the one-way material can be used on thetransparent areas while the graphic material without the one-wayproperties can be used on the opaque areas. Such an application could bea storefront, where the exterior of the store building consists of solidwall areas and areas of glass. Another possible application is that of atransit bus, school bus, city bus, or the like, which consists of windowareas and solid, opaque areas. Other applications include, but are notlimited to, changeable camouflage for buildings, vehicles, changeablewallpaper that can be a TV wall or an interactive visual media forstress reduction. Since the material can be made thin, it can be wrappedaround three-dimensional objects, or it could be molded into differentshapes as desired. Alternately, the microspheres can be adhered tothree-dimensional objects. For example, buildings can be wrapped withthis material and can change their appearance as often as a TV screenchanges.

FIG. 40 shows a cross-section of a storefront application. In thisembodiment, the storefront includes a section of wall (26) and a sectionof a window (17). A one-way microsphere graphic display (57), asdescribed herein, is placed on the storefront. This embodiment includesa control module (58) for the one-way microsphere graphic display. Thiscontrol unit may be attached to the assembly for brief periods toperiodically change the graphic display or it may remain attached forlonger periods to continuously control and change the graphics.

Any of the embodiments can additionally include a protective coating orlayer. This layer would be applied to the face of the graphic materialover the microspheres. This layer can include such layers and coatingsas a laminated plastic film, a lenticular lens assembly, a sprayed orpainted on coating, an epoxy-type coating, a coating or layer withultraviolet shielding properties, a layer or coating with resistance tocleaning compounds and other chemicals, a layer or coating to protectagainst scratching and shocks, a coating to protect againstelectromagnetic or electrostatic interference, and a liquid resistantlayer or coating. The protective layer or coating can be perforated ornot as desired.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A visual display apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrostatic particles and a plurality of electrodynamic contacts, each electrodynamic contact located adjacent to one electrostatic particle, wherein the plurality of electrostatic particles and the plurality of electrodynamic contacts are supported within a nonconductive substrate; and wherein each electrostatic particle of the plurality of electrostatic particles is situated within a channel within the nonconductive substrate such that the nonconductive substrate comprises a plurality of channels, all said channels being oriented in one direction.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said channel of the plurality of channels contains one of said each electrostatic particle.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, each particle comprises at least two sectors, each sector being a color, wherein no two sectors on a given electrostatic particle are an identical color.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said channel of the plurality of channels contains a plurality of electrostatic particles.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said plurality of electrostatic particles comprises a first group of electrostatic particles having a first electrical dipole and a second group of electrostatic particles having a second electrical dipole.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first group of electrostatic particles and said second group of electrostatic particles are different colors.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each particle comprises at least two sectors, and wherein no two sectors on a given electrostatic particle are an identical color.
 8. A visual display apparatus comprising: a first plurality of electrostatic spheres and a plurality of electrodynamic contacts, each electrodynamic contact located adjacent to one electrostatic sphere of said first plurality of electrostatic spheres, wherein the first plurality of electrostatic spheres and the plurality of electrodynamic contacts are supported within a nonconductive substrate; and wherein each electrostatic sphere of the first plurality of electrostatic spheres is situated within a channel within the nonconductive substrate such that the nonconductive substrate comprises a plurality of channels, all said channels being oriented in one direction.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels contains one electrostatic sphere of said first plurality of electrostatic spheres.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each electrostatic sphere comprises at least two sectors, wherein no two sectors on a given electrostatic sphere are an identical color.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said channel of the plurality of channels contains a second plurality of electrostatic spheres, said second plurality being a subgroup of said first plurality of electrostatic spheres, said second plurality of electrostatic spheres comprising more than one electrostatic sphere of said first plurality of electrostatic spheres.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said second plurality of electrostatic spheres comprises a first group of electrostatic spheres having a first magnetic polarity and a second group of electrostatic spheres having a second magnetic polarity.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first group of electrostatic spheres is a first color and said second group of electrostatic particles is a second color.
 14. A visual display apparatus comprising: a plurality of electrostatic particles, each particle comprising a plurality of sectors, each sector being a unique color for said particle, each said particle having a fixed magnetic polarity relative to said plurality of sectors; a plurality of electrodynamic contacts, each electrodynamic contact located adjacent to one of the electrostatic particles, positioned for interaction therewith, and connected to a control switch; and a programmable control module, operably connected to the electrodynamic contacts, wherein the plurality of electrostatic particles and the plurality of electrodynamic contacts are supported within a substrate.
 15. The display of claim 14, wherein each electrostatic particle is encased in a transparent shell.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each transparent shell is fixed within a channel of a plurality of channels evenly distributed across a surface of said substrate.
 17. The display of claim 16, wherein the number of said plurality of sectors of each of the plurality of electrostatic particles is no less than two and no greater than six.
 18. The display of claim 17, the number of said plurality of sectors of the plurality of electrostatic particles is two.
 19. The display of claim 18, wherein the plurality of electrostatic particles comprises two or more distinct groups of electrostatic spheres, each distinct group of electrostatic spheres comprising a distinctly colored set of pixels.
 20. The display of claim 16, wherein the plurality of electrostatic particles comprises two or more distinct groups of electrostatic spheres, each distinct group of electrostatic spheres comprising a distinctly colored set of pixels.
 21. The display of claim 15, further comprising a lubricant within each transparent shell. 